Mercedes-Benz C-Class review (31/05/14)

IT HAS without doubt been the single most important car in the Mercedes range down the years and it is now in Ireland in its very latest, and very impressive, guise.

The brand new Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the fifth generation of a car first seen in 1992 replacing the legendary 190, is a model range that accounts for one in every five Mercedes cars sold.

Competing in the viciously competitive compact executive segment against such cars as the Audi A4 and the BMW 3 Series, the new C-Class needs to be a pretty sharp machine and from what we saw at this week’s launch, there are no indications it will be anything less.

When fully available here, the new C-Class line-up will consist of four petrol engine and five diesel engine versions with entry prices beginning at €37,750 (ex works) for petrol models and €37,950 for diesel models. Petrol versions will include the C180, C200, C250 and C300 models, while the diesel versions will include the C180, C200, C220, C250 BlueTEC models and a C300 Diesel Hybrid.

The first C-Class in Ireland is the C220CDI diesel-powered 2.2-litre, 170bhp version at €43,300 and highlights of this model include a 0.24 Cd value, 103g/km CO2, 4-litres/100km fuel consumption and €190 road tax.

Also here are two petrol-powered versions — a C180 1.6-litre, 156bhp model at €37,750 with 116 g/km C02 and 5.0 l/100 km and annual road tax of €200 and a C200 2.0-litre, 184bhp version at €39,500 whose equivalent features are 123 g/km CO2, 5.3-l/100km fuel consumption and annual road tax of €270.

All remaining models, including a C300 Hybrid, arrive in September and transmissions come via 6-speed manual or 7G automatic gearboxes. Permanent all-wheel drive is also available. A new suspension system can be adjusted electronically with air suspension on front and rear axles available as an option.

In essence what Mercedes has done is create an S-Class Lite and I’ve seen it said that what the company wanted to achieve was “a free upgrade into business class”.

Thus the C-Class is more sophisticated both in appearance and content than anything seen in this grade previously and confidence within Mercedes is therefore very high for its sales potential.

Well-balanced proportions and smooth, contoured bodylines give it the immediate aura befitting a Mercedes. Its long bonnet, short overhangs and set-back passenger compartment reveal a larger vehicle than its predecessor. Extra space comes from an 80mm longer wheelbase, 95mm longer body and 40mm wider frame to make rear seat passengers more comfortable. Boot capacity is 480 litres and thanks to a 100kg reduction in weight, fuel consumption is, on average, 20% lower.

Three design and equipment lines are offered — an Avantgarde version with grille-inset star aimed at young guns; an Exclusive version with a the traditional bonnet-mounted standing star for boring old farts like me; and, an AMG line for the trailblazers.

The C-Class comes festooned with loads of high-tech stuff to satisfy the needs of the younger, internet-active generation, including infotainment display, interactive touchpad and apps that give the driver online access to all forms of route planning, guidance, weather and traffic information. Also new to the car is a ‘head-up’ display system that projects data directly on to the windscreen.

The C-Class also comes with an ‘airpanel’ mechanism that closes the air flap to prevent pollutants entering the passenger compartment. Underlining the S-Class Lite theme, the C-Class has many optional features which were originally seen on its’ bigger brother, including ambient lighting and an ‘air balance’ package that can ‘perfume’ the interior. Also available is a Burmester surround sound system comprising 13 high-performance speakers. There’s also an automatic ‘hand-free’ access that opens and closes the boot lid with a gentle toe-tap.

Safety elements include the acclaimed Attention Assist drowsiness detection system and Collision Prevention Assist — an adaptive braking system that activates automatically if the driver fails to respond to danger ahead.

Additional offerings include systems to control distance from the vehicle in front, lane keeping assist, active parking, adaptive head beam, traffic sign and wrong way alert systems and a 360-degree camera. Pelvis bags, a newly developed window bag, side bags and a driver’s knee bag also form part of the safety story.

In an attempt to finally kill off the perception that the 3-Series is the best drivers’ car in this class Mercedes has done a lot of work under the skin of this car to make it a better and more precise handler than previously, while maintaining its’ legacy as an extremely comfortable form of transport.

Speaking at the car’s launch this week the Mercedes-Benz sales manager for Ireland, Ciaran Allen, predicted that with its new looks, keen pricing and well-appointed features, it is expected the C-Class will be a very competitive offering in its market segment.

He says the car will be marketed on the three platforms — design & appointments; technical innovation and performance; and, a highly-competitive specifications-to-value template.

On the brief evidence we saw at the launch, Mercedes truly has a winner on its’ hands. The looks, comfort, driving ability, technology and price seem set to shake the opposition up considerably.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The Cost: from €37,750.

The Engines: a wide choice of petrols and diesels with varioushybrids also due later this year.

The Specification: Mercedes is moving the C-Class upmarket and the level of standard kit on board here is a very definite reflection of the ambitions the company has for the C-Class.

The Overall Verdict: a serious move upmarket — even for Mercedes — will undoubtedly boost sales for what is already its best-selling model.